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TA-ZH1ES

A new arena of musical expression

Unleash the full potential of your headphones and experience the emotional impact of every song as the artist intended. Combining the best of digital and analog sound technology, this one’s for the serious listeners.

Pushing digital limitations

To achieve ultimate sound reproduction, S-Master HX digitally amplifies the music signal without any resulting transmission loss. However, at the final stage of amplification, the physical limits of the semiconductor unavoidably cause distortion: there has to be a trade-off between the high power and high speed response. We have developed the D.A. Hybrid Amplifier Circuit to overcome these physical limits.

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Amplitude for overhead HP

Amplitude for inner ear HP

The signal response challenge

Unlike in-ear headphones, some high-impedance overhead headphones require a large amplitude signal. But the switching speed of MOS FET at the final stage of digital amplification is too slow to follow the ideal signal, shown in blue (1). The actual signal MOS FET can output - because of the restriction caused by the physical limit of the semiconductor - is shown in orange (2). For a non-feedback amplifier such as S-Master HX on the TA-ZH1ES, the difference between ideal and actual signal, shown in grey (3), means amplification error. Our D.A. Hybrid Amplifier Circuit’s feed forward system corrects this error, preserving the unique sound character of non-feedback S-Master HX.

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Ideal signal

Ideal signal + error

Error correction signal

Ideal signal

Error detection

Achieving the ideal wave form

The analog amplifier compares the true signal with the digital amplifier output signal, identifying the error caused by the slow MOS FET switching speed. Then it produces an error correction signal to restore the headphone output signal, preserving the purity of the original sound, and reproducing the signal with absolute precision.

Distortion reduction

Why distortion happens

Error correction

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Female

Male

Strings

Percussion

Preserving the feeling

Capturing every note and nuance with DSEE HXTM

Experience your music as the artist intended, in near High-Resolution Audio quality. Our new DSEE HX™upscaling technology features four additional modes to the standard: female vocal, male vocal, percussion and strings, for optimal sound reproduction.

Convert any source to DSD

Personalising sound with the new DSD Remastering Engine

Offering double the conversion accuracy of previous models, the new DSD Remastering Engine let you convert all PCM music sources into DSD 11.2MHz. The technology utilises FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) to convert any signal into the DSD sound format.

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Advanced FPGA processing

Uncompromised music reproduction

To maximise the potential of the new D.A. Hybrid Amplifier Circuit, our engineers developed the amplifier using an advanced FPGA processor. This let them fully customise the technology and develop something truly unique.

DC Phase Linearizer

Familiar analog-like sound

Our DC Phase Linearizer works to effectively replicate the phase character of a typical analog amplifier. It matches the phase characteristics of the analog amplifier to deliver a more analog-like sound.

Typical phase character of analog amplifier.

DC Phase Linearizer on/off.

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Structural integrity means audio precision

The TA-ZH1ES has been precision-crafted from the outside in, to maximise audio quality.

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FBW Chassis

The newly added wall structure is made from a large aluminium block for high rigidity.

Ideal sound isolation

The TA-ZH1ES features a rigid FBW Chassis, which has been designed to isolate the circuit board from vibration. By minimising vibration and preventing lateral movement, noise is reduced for a cleaner, purer sound.

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Top panel

Eliminating resonance

The headphone amplifier's top panel is made from a combination of steel and aluminium. These materials each have their own resonance frequency, which when used in combination, suppress each other. The result is the effective elimination of unnecessary resonance.

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Lower panel

A double layer design enhances rigidity, while the low point of gravity improves stability.

Rigid and durable

The TA-ZH1ES features an innovative chassis design. The structure of the baseplate supporting the 'FBW' Chassis has two layers for enhanced rigidity and a low centre of gravity. This added protection and durability enhances sound quality.

FBW Chassis

Acoustically Tuned Panel

Double Layer Bottom Plate

Discover the TA-ZH1ES

Learn about the technology and inspiration behind our most premium stationary headphone amplifier.

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Footnotes

3Colours & features of the product shown may differ by model and country.

44K: 3,840 x 2,160 pixels.

5Services availability depends on region. A part or whole of software/services installed into or accessible through the product may be changed, discontinued, removed, suspended, or terminated without notice.

6Features and specifications are subject to change without prior notice.